For many homeowners, local wildlife can pose a big problem. Raccoons, birds, and other native fauna are attracted to the warmth of a lived-in home and can often decide to move in uninvited. Squirrels have become a particularly annoying pest that looks for food and shelter within the house. If you have a problem with these little critters, keep reading for a few tips on how to keep them away from your home.

Clean the Attic

Squirrels often leap from the treetops to the top of the home and can make their way into the attic to find warmth and shelter. And if there’s anything else up there to make them feel at home, they’ll certainly set up camp. If you use the attic to store food, this will draw the creatures inside and encourage them to stay. Instead, keep all food (including pet food) stored in a harder to reach place to deter squirrels from coming in for a meal. If your attic is mostly unused, have a look for any resident insects, since squirrels often eat things like caterpillars and cockroaches.

Something Spicy

Squirrels and other animals aren’t as keen on spicy foods as us humans, so deter them from entering the home with a little something hot. One option is to rub hot sauce on outdoor areas where they tend to enter, or on outdoor furniture they might like to chew on. A sprinkling of black pepper in the outdoor garbage can or on the grass around the home can also help.

A Pet

Dogs are a great pest deterrent for homeowners. They can smell out any intruders quickly, and usually, their presence is enough to keep away any creatures that might be tempted to come in. If you don’t have or want a pet, ask a neighbor for some clippings the next time their pet is groomed; sometimes spreading dog or cat hair around the yard will be enough of a warning so that squirrels aren’t tempted to come in.

Squirrel Repellant

Yes, you can buy a product that is formulated to keep squirrels away. Generally, these repellants are made using the urine of a common predator – a smell that represents a danger to squirrels. You can spray it around the edges of your yard and trees to deter the squirrels from getting too close.

Call A Wildlife Management Service

If all else fails, a short call to the professionals is a great option that is guaranteed to solve your squirrel problem. Struggling to get those squirrels under control? Call Baystate Wildlife at (781) 830-6080 for quick and cost-effective assistance with those pesky intruders!